Machine



V(No Model.) it-Sheets- Sheet 1A A. HBINE 8v G. SMACK. GONFECTIONERS PILLNG AND SEPARATING MACHINE.

No. 593,325. Patented Nov. 9,*189'7.

Qa. Q2/M zwem MLM H THE Noam: vETzRs co Puorouwo.. wAsHlNcrou. D. a

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A. HEINE'E G. S. MACK. GONI'BGTIONBRS FILLINGr AND SBPANATING MACHINE.

No. 593,325. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

YIIIIII 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(NO Model.)

A. HEINB & G. S. MACK.. CONIBGTIONBRS FILLING ANI) SBPARATING MACHINE.

No. 593,325. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

4 Sheets- Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

A. HEINEl 8v G. S. MACK. GoNPBGTIoNBNs IILLING AND SBPANATING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 9, L1897.

da@ m2/17s.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

AUGUST HEINE AND GEORGE S. MACK, OF SILVER CREEK, NEW YORK; SAID MACK ASSIGNOR TO SAID HEINE.

yCONFECTIONERlS FILLING AND SEPARATING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 593,825, dated November 9, 1897. v

Application filed April 13,1897. Serial No.631,941. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, AUGUST HEINE and GE ORGE S. MACK, citizens of the United States, residing at Silver Creek, in the county of Chautauqua and State of lNew, York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Confectioners Filling and Separating Machines, of which the following is a specication.

This'invention relates to a machine for iilling trays with a bed of powdered starch preparatory to forming the molding-cavities in the same in which the candiesare cast and for cleaning and separating the candies from the starch after the confectionery has been poured in the molds and become hard.

The object of our invention is to produce a simple, compact, and efficient machine whereby these operations are performed eX- peditiously and thoroughly and which can be easily cleaned and repaired.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of four sheets, Figure lis a longitudinal sectional elevation of our improved machine in line l l, Fig. 7. Fig. 2is a fragmentary rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation in line 3 3, Fig. 7. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section in line 4 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of the separating portion of the machine with the feed-hopper removed. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section in line 6 6, Fig. 3. Fig. '7 is a horizontal section in line 7 7, Fig. 10. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the rear portion of one of the separating-reels on an enlarged scale. Fig.

v 9 is a perspective view of one of the cleanerlinings of the rear portions of the separatingreels. Fig. l0 is a vertical cross-section of the machine in line lO l0, Fig. 7.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures. Y

The main frame of the lmachine is preferably composed of two separable sections A A, arranged side by side for convenience in shipping.

The mechanism for filling the molding-trays with powdered starch is mounted on the righthand framesection A, as shown in Figs. 3, 7, and lO, and is constructed as follows:

B represents a starch bin or receptacle into which, previous to starting the machine, a

quantity of loose or powdered molding-starch is introduced through an opening in the top thereof, which opening is closed by a lid b.

C represents a conveyor v,case or housing which is arranged below the starch-bin and which communicates at its front and rear .ends with the lower portion ofthe bin by transverse openings c c', formed in the front and rear sides of the bin, above the bottom b thereof. The bottom of the conveyer-casing is provided near its middle pending feedsp'out c2.

D represents a conveyer whereby the starch is removed from the bin and discharged into the feed-spout. This conveyer consists of'a number of transverse bars or drags d, secured with a deto two endless chain belts d d', which move in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3, so that the bars enter through the rea-r opening of the bin c', move over the bottom thereof, and remove the starch through the front'opening c to the bottom of the conveyer-casing and thence to the feed-spout. The chains run around the sprocket-wheels d2 d3, arranged, respectively, in the frontv and rear portions of the conveyer-casing and secured to transverse shafts d4 d4, which lare journaled in bearings in the side walls of the casing and which may be driven in any suitable manner.

E represents a rotating disintegrator which is arranged in the feed-spout c2, and the starch is broken up and reduced to powder as it drops through the spout. This disintegrator consists, preferably, of two vertical disks e and an annular row of horizontal beater-rods c', arranged between the disks. The latter are secured to a transverse shaft e2, which is journaled in the side walls of the spout and which may be rotated in any suitable manner.

F represents one of the trays or boxes which is carried past the lower end of the feed-spout and is filled with molding-starch through this spout.

gitudinal rails or supports f f, arranged lengthwise under the feed-spout and secured to the bottom f and the end boards f? of a boi; f3, which is secured, with its side boards f4, to the frame-section A.

The trays are supported on two lon- IOO the outer roller-shafts in rear ofthe bevel gear-wheels Z5, and preferably formed integrally with the latter, and which mesh with toothed gear-rims Z7, formed on the flanges of the front supporting-rings, whereby motion is transmitted from the driving-shaft to the reels for turning the latter.

M represents a feed-hopper into which the I candy and starch are discharged from the trays by the operator and whereby the same are delivered into the front ends of the separating-reels. This hopper is arranged transversely in front of the front supporting-plate and consists of transverse front and rear boards or plates m m', which converge downwardly in the form of the letter V, and two end boards or plates fm2. The rear board m of the feed-hopper is arranged close to the front supporting-rings and is provided with two circular openings m3 m3, which register with said rings.

m4 m4 represent annular iianges or rims which are arranged lon the rear side of the rear hopper-plate and which fit against the inner side of the front supporting-rings, so as to cover the joints between the feed-hopper and said rings. The feed-hopper is detachably securedin place in any suitable mannerfor instance, by means of bolts m5, which connect the rear plate of the hopper with the front supporting-plate.

m6 is an upwardly-projecting hood or guard which is secured to the frame-section A' along the rear and sides of the feed-hopper and which reduces the spreading of the starchdust whenthe contents of the molding-trays are dumped into the hopper. After the operator has emptied a tray into the feed-hopper he places the same between the feed-rollers of the filling mechanism, whereby the tray is again carried under the feed-spout and filled preparatory to being impressed with the candy-pattern.

The greater portion of each reel from its front end toward its tail is provided with a clothing of wire-cloth. As the wheels revolve the starch and candy delivered int-o the same are separated, the starch and, small broken particles of candy passing through the meshes of cloth, while the whole candy tails off upon an inclined chute m7, which is secured to the rearsupporting-plate. VThe bulk ofthe starch is separated from the whole candy by the swinging action of the front portions of the reels. In order to remove the starch which still adheres to the candy, the latter is subjected to brushing operations before it is discharged from the reels. The mechanism for effecting these operations is constructed as follows:

Each of the reels contains a rotary brush consisting of a front section N and a rear section N, the front section being arranged in the central portion of the reel and the rear section in the rear portion of the reel. The brush-sections are mounted on a longitudinal shaft n, which is arranged axially in the reel and which extends with its front end only to about the front end of the front supportingring, while its rear end extends beyond the rear end of the rear supporting-ring.

n n are curved hangers which are adjustably securedv to the rear hopper-plate above the outlet-openings therein by means of bolts n2, passing through vertical Vslots n3 in the hangers andwhich are provided at their lower ends with bearings n4, in which the front ends of the brush-shafts are journaled. The lower portions of the hangers extend rearwardly into the front supporting-rings of the reels, so as to leave the 'space in the lower portion ofthe feed-hopper clear and unobstructed, thereby avoiding choking of the outlets thereof. v

o ,representsa carrier-plate provided at its lower ends with bearings 0', in which the rear ends of the brush-shafts are j ournaled. This plate is adjustably secured with its upper portion to the rear side of the rear supporting-plate by bolts o2, passing through vertical slots o3 in the carrier-plate. The carrierplate may be raised and lowered by means of adj usting-screws 04, journaled with their upper ends in lugs o? on the rear supportingplate and engaging with their lower screwthreaded ends in internally-screw-threaded lugs o6 on the carrier-plate.

o7 isv a horizontal driving-shaft journaled v transversely in bearings o8 on the carrier-plate and provided with bevel gear-wheels o9, which mesh with similar gear-wheels 010V on the rear ends of the brush-shafts, whereby motion is transmitted fromv the driving-shaft to the brushes. The frontksection of each brush bears directly against the screen-surface of a rotary screen the candies usually slide with their base or flat side around the inner side of the screen, so that the base of the candy is not presented to the Aaction of the brushes, which results in an imperfect removal of the starch from the base. For the purpose of overcoming this difficulty a portion of each reel is providedwith a wiper or cleaner P, of plush, velvet, or similarV material, having a more orless rough pile, nap, or fiber, whereby the base of the candy while sliding over the same isvwiped and cleaned. Thislining is preferably arranged in the rear portion of the reel, as shown, so that the ca ndy before issuing from the reel will bewiped simultaneously on its fiat side by the wiper and on its conical side by the rear section of the rotary brush. By arranging the wiper in the deliv- IOO IIO

' ery portion of the reel the candy does not lower screen and resting on the cams.

come in contact with the same until nearly all the starch has been 'removed therefrom, and the wiper is only required to remove the ne particles of starch which still adhere to the base of the candy, thereby reducing the clogging or filling of the wiper to a minimum.

lIn order to aord a ready escape for the starch which is removed from the candy by the rear brush-section and the wiper, the latter is provided with a longitudinal slot or gap p, through which the detached starch escapes. This slot is covered by the reel-clothing, so as to prevent the escape of the candy through the same. The wiper is preferably supported by a backing p', of sheet metal, to which it is secured by gluing or otherwise. This backing may be fastened to the inner side of the reel-clothing by bolts p2, Figs. 8 and 9, or the reticulated or perforate clothing can stop at this imperforate backing except where it is required to cover the slot in the same. The diameter of the reels and of the front and rear supporting-rings is no larger than the circular openings in the front supporting-v plate, so that the screens and connecting parts can be withdrawn forwardly through these openings for cleaning or repairing after removing the feed-hopper M and the shafthangers n'.

Q represents a flat screen which is arranged lengthwise underneath the reels and which receives and separates the starch and small pieces of candy which drop from the reels. This screen inclines rearwardly and projects with its tail end through a transverse opening q in the rear supporting-plate. A vertically shaking or tossing movement is imparted to this screen by cams q', which are secured to the outer roller-shafts and which engage in overhanging yokes q2, connected with the The fragments of candy tail oif from the lower screen, while the starch passes through theT same and drops upon the hat rear portion g3 and the inclined front portion g4 of the bott which is arranged between the front and rear bottom portions Q3 g4 and which connects with the conveyer-trough z' below the tray-filling mechanism. The conveyer-trough R contain-s a conveyer which is an extension of the same transverse conveyer t" which works in the tubes are shaken and the dust is detached the trough i'.

fr is a longitudinal conveyer whereby the starch is removed from the rear flat portion of the bottom into the conveyer-trough R, y

and which consists of two endless chain belts r fr', which are connected by transverse conveyer bars or drags r2 and which pass around The latter are mounty sprocket-wheels r3 r4.

tom of the chamber into the conveyer-trough, from which latter the starch is carried by the conveyer t" into the foot of the elevator, t0- gether with the starch which spills over during the operation of filling the trays, and is again elevated into the bin to beused over again. y

f For the purpose of gathering the starchdust in the dierent parts of the machine and preventing its escape from the machine a dust-collector is provided, which is constructed as follows:

S represents a suction-chamber arranged on top of the separating-chamber, and T is a fan having its eye opening into the suctionchamber, while its blast-spout extends outside of the suction-chamber.

t represents a number of vertical filtertubes Aof woven cotton or similar material, which have their upper ends closed and which are secured with their open lower ends around openings t', formed in the bottom of the suction-chamber, whereby the tubes are placed in communication with thev separating-chamber. The suction of the fan draws the dust-laden air from the separating-chamber, the feed-hopper, and the space below the tray-filling mechanism into the lteringtubes, the starch being separatedL from the air by the tubes and clinging to the inner side thereof, while the purified air passes through the tubes to the fan. The closed upper ends of the filtering-tubes are secured tov a vertically-movable head u, which in its highest position draws the tubes taut and bears against the under sides of two cross-bars u', which are secured to the side walls `of the suction-chamber. The movable tube-head is yieldingly held in an elevated position by springs u2, bearing with their lower ends against the` top of the cross-bars and with their upper ends against shoulders on rods n3, which are connected with the tube-head.

o represents rotary tappets or cams which are adapted to engage with lugs or projec-4 tions o' on the upper side of the tube-head for depressing the latter and producing a slack in the filtering-tubes. These cams are secured to transverse shafts v2 and are rotated in unison by a chain belt o3, passing around sprocket-wheels o4, securedu to the cam-shafts. When the cams are disengaged from the lugs en the tube-head, the latter is raised suddenly by the springs u2, whereby the bin and conveyer-casing, substantially r` set forth.

2. The Combination with the Starch-bin, of'

a conveyer whereby the starch is removed from the bottom of said bin, a feed-spout to which the starch is delivered by said conveyer, and a disintegrator arranged in said feed-spout, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination withthe starch-bin, of a conveyer whereby the starch is removed from the bottom of said bin, a feed-spout arranged below said conveyer and to which the starch is delivered by said conveyer and a tray-feeder arranged below said feed-spout, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the starch-bin, of a conveyer whereby the starch is removed from the bottom of said bin, a feed-spout to which the starch is delivered by said conveyer, a disintegrator arranged in said feedspout, and a tray-feeder arranged below said v feed-spout, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the starch-bin, of a conveyer whereby the starch is removed from the bottom of said bin, a feed-spout to which the starch is delivered by said conveyer, and a disintegrator arranged in said f eed spout and consisting of a horizontal shaft, disks secured thereto and rods connecting said disks, substantially as set forth.

G. The combination with the feed-spout and the tray-guides arranged below the same, of feed-rollers adapted to engage against opposite sides of the trays and operating to move the same underneath the feed-spout, substantially as set forth.

'7. Thecombination with the feed-spout and the tray-guides arranged below the same, of elastic feed-rollers adapted to engage against opposite sides of the trays and operating to move the same underneath the feed-spout, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the feed-spout and the tray-guides arranged below the same, of a triangular striker arranged in rear of the feed-spout, and capable of vertical yielding movement, vertical guides in which the rear portion of the striker is guided, and a retaining-band whereby the front portion of the striker is held against downward displacement, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the separatingchamber provided in its front and rear ends with circular openings, of a rotaryT screen provided at its receiving and delivery ends with supporting-rings which turn in said openings, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the separatingchamber, and the front and rear supportingplates provided with circular openings, of a rotary screen provided at its receiving and delivery ends with supporting-rings which turn respectively in the openings of the front and rear plates, and an annular flange arranged on the front supporting-ring and bearing against the front side of the front supporting-plate, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with the separatingchamber, and the front and rear supportingplates provided with circular openings, of a rotary screen provided at its receiving and delivery ends with supporting-rings which turn respectively in the openings of the front and rear plates, and an annular flange arranged on the front supporting-ring and bearing against the front side of the front supporting-plate, the diameter of the screen and its supporting-rings being no larger than the diameter of the opening in the front supporting-plate so as to permit the screen and rings to be withdrawn through the front opening, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with the separatingchamber, and the front and rear supportingplates provided with circular openings, of a rotary screen provided at its receiving and delivery ends with supporting-rings which turn respectively in the openings of the front and rear plates, an annular flange formed o'n the front ring and provided with a gear-rim, a spur gear-wheel meshing with the gearrim and provided with a bevel gear-wheel and a driving-shaft provided with a bevel-gear which meshes with the bevel gear-wheel on the spur gear-wheel, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with a rotary screen, of longitudinal shafts provided with rollers which support said screen, a vertically-shaking screen arranged below the rotary screen, and cams arranged on said shafts and actuating the vertically-shaking screen, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with the separatingchamber provided with circular openings in its front and rear ends, of a rotary screen provided at its receiving and delivery ends with supporting-rings which turn in said openings, a feed-hopper provided with a discharge-opening which registers with the receiving end of the screen, and an annular flange secured to the hopper around the discharge-opening thereof and fitting against the inner side of the front supporting-ring, substantially as set forth.

IOO

IOSl

IIO

15. The combination with the rotary screen and the feed-hopper which opens into the receiving end of the screen, of a rotary brush arranged in the screen and mounted on a shaft which does not project beyond the front end of said screen, and a hanger which is secured with its upper end to said hopper and provided at its lower end with a bearing in which the brush-shaft is j ournaled and which projects rearwardly into the screen, so as to clear the lower portion of the feed-hopper, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with a screen, of an imperforate brous wiper moving with the screen and forming a continuation thereof, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination with a rotary screen, of an imperforate fibrous wiper rotating with the screen and provided with a slot or gap which is provided with a perforate covering, substantially as set forth,

18. The combination with a rotary screen, Witness our hands this 7th day of April,

of an imperforate fibrous Wiper rotating with 1897. the screen and provided with a slot or gap AUGUST HEINE.

which is provided with a perforate covering, GEORGE S. MACK. 5 a rotary brush engaging with the inner side Witnesses:

of the screen and a rotary brush engaging ARTHUR P. REED,

with said wiper, substantially as set forth. WV. P. CHRISTY. 

